BUCK vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

BUCK (Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUCK is a Government Bonds fund actively managed by Simplify, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. BUCK is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUCK returned 5.27%/yr vs 26.43%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BUCK charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

BUCK vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUCK achieves a 2.07% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 17.57% return.

BUCK

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 2.07%
• 6M: 2.46%
• 1Y: 7.65%
• 3Y*: 5.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 17.57%
• 6M: 17.85%
• 1Y: 37.55%
• 3Y*: 26.43%
• 5Y*: 16.85%
• 10Y*: 21.79%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BUCK vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	2.07%	4.13%	7.25%	4.63%	0.59%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	17.57%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-2.18%

Correlation

The correlation between BUCK and QQQ is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.06

Return for Risk

BUCK vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BUCK

BUCK Risk / Return Rank: 91
BUCK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BUCK Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BUCK Omega Ratio Rank: 90
BUCK Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
BUCK Martin Ratio Rank: 96

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 71
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 70

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BUCK vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BUCK	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.09	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	2.73	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.37	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.60	3.01	+2.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.21	11.22	+18.99

BUCK vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUCK Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUCK and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BUCK vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUCK drawdown since its inception was -5.43%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUCK and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUCK	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.43%	-82.97%	+77.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.31%	-11.96%	+10.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.43%	-22.77%	+17.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.33%	+3.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.49%	-32.75%	+32.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.24%	3.20%	-2.96%

Volatility

BUCK vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK) is 0.58%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that BUCK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUCK	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.58%	7.56%	-6.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.45%	13.81%	-12.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07%	17.19%	-14.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.47%	22.55%	-19.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.47%	22.38%	-18.91%

BUCK vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUCK has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUCK vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

BUCK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.40%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	7.40%	7.59%	8.84%	4.84%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.39%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUCK and QQQ in my portfolio?

BUCK and QQQ have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUCK or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to BUCK (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUCK dropped -5.43% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, BUCK or QQQ?

On 3-year performance, QQQ leads with 26.43% vs 5.27% for BUCK. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, BUCK has been the lower-risk option at 0.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUCK or QQQ?

Over the 3-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 26.43% return vs 5.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUCK or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BUCK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUCK or QQQ?

BUCK has the higher dividend yield at 7.40%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between BUCK and QQQ?

BUCK is categorized as Government Bonds, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BUCK and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUCK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.